Justice News

Meriden Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUSTIN DOHERTY, 25, of Meriden, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late October 2016, law enforcement intercepted two parcels containing suspected narcotics that had been mailed from southern California to two different addresses in Meriden. On November 2, 2016, a court-authorized search of the parcels revealed a total of approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 1.06 kilograms of heroin.

On November 2, 2016, Jose Davila, also known as “Flaco,” visited a post office in Meriden to inquire about one of the parcels. On November 3, 2016, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the second parcel to its intended address. The residents of the house accepted the parcel on behalf of DOHERTY and contacted DOHERTY on his cellphone. DOHERTY then arrived at the house in a car driven by Davila. DOHERTY and Davila were arrested at that time.

The investigation revealed that a third individual coordinated the shipment of the parcels containing cocaine and heroin, and paid DOHERTY and Davila to accept the parcels on his behalf. Prior to November 2016, DOHERTY and Davila received at least three other packages, all of which were mailed from California, on behalf of the same individual.

On January 30, 2018, DOHERTY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

DOHERTY has been detained since May 22, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

Davila, of Meriden, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and awaits sentencing. The third individual is awaiting trial.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Meriden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.